PIAA States Preview: Girls' Distance

Photo by Michael Reeves

AA Girls' 800m Preview

Many seniors will be competing for the top spot in the girls 800, all within a few seconds of one another. PA #3, PA#4, and PA#5 have all run in the 2:17s this year. From District 11, Pine Grove's McKayla Lally and Tamaqua Area's Monika Shimko battled for the win last weekend, Lally coming out with the win in 2:17.16 with an epic kick. They will compete again this weekend, and we will see if Lally will come out on top again. Joining them is senior Maggie Linton of Delaware County Christian School, currently PA #3. Linton was last year's runner up in this event.

Do not forget about McKenzie Gelvin of McConnellsburg from District 5. She elected to go fresh in the 800 meters and count her among the seniors who will be up near the front of this race. Having run 2:14.59 this season, she is PA #1 for AA girls. She could be looked at as the favorite here.

New to the scene is Freeport Area's freshman Sidney Shemanski, coming in as the fourth seed in 2:19.96.

Running in the 1600m, 800m and most likely anchoring her team's 4x800 meter is Marion Center senior Taya Whitfield, who could also be a factor in this race.


Entries:

Event 208  Girls 800 Meter Run AA (22) Prelims
===============================================================================
 NFHS Record:  2:02.04  2011        Amy Weissenbach, HarvardWestlakeHS, CA     
 PIAA Record:  2:09.16  2012        Angel Piccirillo, Homer Center 6           
NFHS Hnr Rol:  2:10.00                                                         
               2:20.60  SQS
           Name                        Year School                 Seed relim Time
===============================================================================
  1        Lally, McKayla                12 Pine Grove 11       2:17.16  SQS   
  2        Shimko, Monika                12 Tamaqua Area 11     2:17.56  SQS   
  3        Linton, Maggie                12 Delco Chrstn 01     2:19.51  SQS   
  4        Shemanski, Sidney              9 Freeport Area 07    2:19.96  SQS   
  5        Whitfield, Taya               12 Marion Center 06    2:20.52  SQS   
  6        Wolf, Sydney                  11 Riverside 07        2:20.62        
  7        Lauer, Jeanne                 11 Shady Side 07       2:20.83        
  8        Tarris, Bearett               12 Quaker Valley 07    2:21.84        
  9        Avery, Autumn                 12 Hughesville 04      2:22.16        
 10        Biddle, Abby                  10 Grove City 10       2:22.35        
 11        Baglini, Shanell              12 Athens Area 04      2:22.56        
 12        Korty, Jenn                   12 Carbondale 02       2:22.66        
 13        McElheny, Mandy               12 Homer Center 06     2:22.78        
 14        Habursky, Lauren              10 Mrcyhrst Prep 10    2:22.96        
 15        Chobany, Kasey                11 Portage 06          2:23.68        
 16        Gelvin, McKenzie              12 McConnellsbrg 05    2:24.10        
 17        McCoy, Lauren                 11 Hopewell 07         2:24.33        
 18        Sneeringer, Leanne            11 Delone Cath 03      2:24.57        
 19        Wortman, Lauryn               12 Elk Cnty Cath 09    2:26.42        
 20        Ashley, Calla                 10 Lanc Menn 03        2:26.60        
 21        Mills, Forest Madison         12 Clarion Area 09     2:27.60        
 22        Giang, Joanna                 12 Masterman 12        2:52.19